The Guardians of Justice: Progressive Attorneys General Tackle Trump’s Agenda

The ‘League of Justice’ Gathers for Battle

Looking down upon the hustle and bustle of Hollywood Boulevard, a group of power players convened on a Tuesday, their sights set on the formidable challenges to come. These legal sentinels, fondly calling themselves a “League of Justice,” were not assembling to battle threats from a distant galaxy – their adversary was the President Trump, a force they perceived as more potent than ever. The task at hand was of high stakes. As New Jersey Attorney General, Matthew Platkin put it, the pace, scope, and scale of illegal and unconstitutional activities were unparalleled in American history.

Democratic Attorneys General vs. Trump Administration: A Spate of Lawsuits

The Hollywood policy conference on that day was a crucible for the Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA). A political action committee turned judicial alliance that gathers the nation’s top progressive lawyers. The discussions focused mainly around how to maintain the judicial onslaught against the Trump administration, seeing themselves as the bulwarks preventing the unfolding of a constitutional crisis. Or as Illinois Attorney General, Kwame Raoul, described it, the assault on the principle of the rule of law and the republic itself.

Unresolved Constitutional Crisis: Claims and Counterclaims

Kathy Jennings, the Delaware Attorney General, drew attention to the rising calls from Trump’s supporters for the president to shun unfavorable court rulings, to establish his agenda. This concern meant they were already living in an existential crisis, she argued. While others were more optimistic, like Attorney General Rob Bonta of California, who believed in the durability of the American judicial system despite the trials it was undergoing.

The Progressive Vanguard: Defending Constitutional Rights

Despite facing the second presidency of Trump, the progressivist vanguard held firm. Just in three weeks, 23 of the nation’s top attorneys had filed at least six lawsuits among over 60 litigations initiated against Trump and his allies. Yet defending the Constitution was a far cry from what Bill Lockyer envisioned when he co-founded DAGA in 2002 along with other like-minded attorneys general.

The Emergence and Evolution of the Democratic Attorneys General Association

Reminiscing about DAGA’s humble beginnings, former California Attorney General, Lockyer said, “We were very modest when we first began.” With DAGA having become a formidable player in the legal arena, the small force that debuted in 2002 had undergone significant transformations. The Association raised a few million annually until 2016 when it migrated its operational base to Washington D.C. and hired a full-time staff. As a result, its financial strength improved significantly, raising close to $20 million last year.

Bracing for Trump’s Second Term: A Contingency Plan in Motion

In February 2024, DAGA’s members already began working to intercept potential hurdles arising from another Trump presidency. “We have to always be anticipating what might be a threat,” articulated Massachusetts Attorney General, Andrea Campbell. Their proactive approach was evident with California earmarking $25 million just to safeguard Attorney General Bonta’s office from the predicted “Trump-proof” strategies. Using these complex legal maneuvers as weapons, DAGA sought to address what Platkin described as the existential threat that Trump poses.

The Struggle to Defend Constitutional Principles and to Publicly Communicate That Fight

Despite the weighty atmosphere, the meeting displayed camaraderie among colleagues. However, an undeniable air of urgency permeated the room, a sentiment echoed by Jennings who felt the current crisis seriously threatened the separation of powers, a concerned not felt during Trump’s first tenure. An ongoing debate during these meetings was how to not only protect the rule of law but also to express these lofty principles in a way that would resonate with laypeople. To this end, Campbell highlighted the strategic move to involve the city of San Francisco in their challenge, making a direct link with Wong Kim Ark, the iconic 1898 Supreme Court case that extended 14th Amendment rights to immigrants’ children.

The Conservative Verdict: Uncertain Outcomes Ahead

While early lawsuits garnered victories in district court, there was shared apprehension about their challenges reaching the Supreme Court, where the conservative majority could sway the verdict in favor of President Trump’s agenda. The Legal guardians of the Constitution prepared to steer through these tricky parts with a unified resolve and a common purpose: the defense of the rule of law.

Originally Post From https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-02-15/league-of-justice-california-ag-trump-court-battles

Justice League California: AG Gearing up for Court Battles with Trump